Bossy behavior & barred rocks...is it normal or ok?

[HennyPenny44]

Ok, so I rehomed my 2 year old Barred Rock the other day to a nice person with other Barred Rocks, RIR’s, etc. She was one of the 5 hens from my first flock. I watched for 2 years as she bossed around any hens beneath her, chasing them away from food, water or just the soil they were digging around in. My Easter Egger would sometimes join in the harassment even though she was picked on by the Barred Rock too.

I had a Speckled Sussex who was the main object of the Barred Rock’s abuse. She was so passive and sweet and she died one day for some mysterious reason. My feeling is it was from all the stress though I’m not sure if it’s possible. Now that my Barred Rock is gone, it seems peaceful and my remaining chickens get along. I hatched out more Speckled Sussexes to replace the one that died and they will soon be joining the flock. I felt like they would be harassed by the Barred Rock too and I couldn’t bear the thought.

But I feel a bit bad about giving my Barred Rock away and strangely miss her constant complaining. Some people seem to be ok with bossy behavior from their hens but to me, isn’t that a flaw? The hens who were above her in the pecking order never were bossy or mean to those beneath them. Funny enough, I got her after hearing Barred Rocks are bossy. Thought I’d defy the odds but I guess I didn’t. I’m so hesitant about trying the breed again but I did so love those eggs and the pretty plumage.

 

[LaFleche]

The peace among the individuals in my flock is what I consider most valuable. Constant harassment leads to malnourishment and all kinds of stress related issues, including death of the victims.

I even culled one beautiful and big only two years old Olive Egger for that reason: No matter which of my several flocks she joined, she would not stop her overly aggressive behaviour, always chasing and pecking mercilessly, even ambushing unsuspecting victims, fighting like crazy and even killing my beloved Swedish Isbar Dolly, which was the last straw. In one flock she even instigated the rooster to assist her in her madness, so I culled both of them the same day I saw it.

When inspecting her carcass carefully, I could not find any tumor or similar, which could have been the reason for her aggressiveness. So in hindsight it seemed that she was just evil.

 

[LaFleche]

I’m so hesitant about trying the breed again but I did so love those eggs and the pretty plumage.

Maybe try barred Wyandottes instead?

https://cheshirepoultry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/barredwyandotte.jpg

 

[jonalisa]

Or a Dominique...

 

[HennyPenny44]

The peace among the individuals in my flock is what I consider most valuable. Constant harassment leads to malnourishment and all kinds of stress related issues, including death of the victims.

I even culled one beautiful and big only two years old Olive Egger for that reason: No matter which of my several flocks she joined, she would not stop her overly aggressive behaviour, always chasing and pecking mercilessly, even ambushing unsuspecting victims, fighting like crazy and even killing my beloved Swedish Isbar Dolly, which was the last straw. In one flock she even instigated the rooster to assist her in her madness, so I culled both of them the same day I saw it.

When inspecting her carcass carefully, I could not find any tumor or similar, which could have been the reason for her aggressiveness. So in hindsight it seemed that she was just evil.

Thank you for the insight. That situation sounds even more extreme than mine. Yes, peace is what I value most as well more than pretty eggs or birds. Some people say that it’s just the natural pecking order playing out and or even that the picked on bird has something defective with her so she’s being chased away by the flock so as not to attract predators...but I tend not to agree as a chicken momma. I never heard of Wyandottes that are barred here in the U.S. but I’ll check them out.

 

[HennyPenny44]

Or a Dominique...
View attachment 2710608

Yes, I am considering them...as long as they’re not known to be bossy.

 

[jonalisa]

Yes, I am considering them...as long as they’re not known to be bossy.

My Dominique was sweet and never had a pecking order issue. Got along with every one.
Good luck!

 

[aart]

Yes, I am considering them...as long as they’re not known to be bossy.

Any breed bird can be 'bossy'.
No guarantees.

 

[HennyPenny44]

Any breed bird can be 'bossy'.
No guarantees.

Yes, I understand. I’m more concerned about reputations than individual birds.